Day in the Life

Inge Moore
Principal, HBA London and the Gallery

6:00 a.m. I like to get up early. Walking to work lets me gather my thoughts and start with a clear head. I stop at Ottolenghi in Notting Hill and pick up my first strong coffee. I enjoy getting to work before everyone else arrives; it gives me time to catch up on emails and call Dina in Moscow, Sibylle in Zurich, and Shoko in Munich—some of our team members living in other corners of the world.

9:00 a.m. I’m on my second coffee, compliments of our Gaggia espresso machine. I space plan a 1960s building in Tunisia for a hotel project. Next, a meeting to review budgets for the InterContinental’s Royal suite, inspired by Queen Elizabeth II. Then a look at carpet trials inspired by Florentine lace for our renovation of the Westin Florence. I grab a quick sushi while responding to project queries via email, then make a couple FF&E selections for our new resort design in Mauritius.

3:00 p.m. My one-year-old daughter Zinzi is dropped off at the office. I like to take her on my travels as much as possible and together we make a dash for Heathrow to catch a flight to Florence where I have a project meeting the next morning. Once airside, I purchase an ETRO scarf; with its beautiful colors and patterns it is ‘wearable’ design inspiration.

10:00 p.m. By the time we check in to the Westin Florence it’s already 10 p.m. I confirm with the concierge that a babysitter has been arranged for the next morning, and then order a light pasta dish from room service. Zinzi loves looking at the big chandelier in the room and the way it sparkles. Call Dad to say goodnight.

11:00 p.m. After getting Zinzi off to sleep, I finish a proposal for an exciting new project in St. Petersburg that I promised to get out today.

12:30 a.m. I go to bed with the windows open since I don’t like AC and listen to the river. The hotel sheets feel great and the Heavenly Bed is fabulous.